title: Hypericum extract WS ® 5570 for depression--an overview.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  WS(®) 5570 is a Hypericum (St. John's wort) dry extract that is available as a medicinal product in coated tablets and has a marketing authorisation for the acute treatment of mild to moderate major depression in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of WS(®) 5570.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trials the antidepressant effect of the drug was superior to that of the placebo and at least comparable to that of paroxetine. The beneficial effect of WS(®) 5570 is particularly pronounced with respect to the core symptoms of depression. There is evidence that the drug may also be effective in moderate to severe depression and in prophylactic continuation treatment after recovery from an acute episode.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WS(®) 5570 has a very favourable safety profile, with adverse event rates on one level with placebo and lower than that of synthetic antidepressants in randomised, controlled clinical trials. It may therefore also be an option for patients who do not tolerate other antidepressant drugs. Patients with polydrug treatment should nevertheless use the drug with caution, due to its potential for interactions.
authors.affiliation: Fliedner Klinik Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gastpar
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; C446504:WS 5570